Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
There are several different types of love described in the Bible. The type of love mentioned in this verse is agape love. Agape love is unconditional, unselfish, and sacrificial. God giving His son to die on the cross for our sins is an example of God’s unconditional, unselfish, and sacrificial love for us. But agape also is represented in brotherly love, and should be represented in our unconditional, unselfish love for others.
There are many scriptures that tell us to love one another. This also means as Christians, we are to “love the unlovable.” Yes, even the person who makes your life difficult. The person that you have chosen to spend as little time with as possible.
There is a saying at our house, “I always love you, but I don’t have to like you right now.” That sounds a little more harsh than it really is. But we know that what it really means is that no matter how you are acting, no matter how I FEEL about you at this moment, I love you no matter what. This is a love of choice. We don’t always feel love, but we should strive to act in ways that show love.
As Christians, we must choose to love. There are people in our lives that we may not care for. We may not like the way they behave, they may even lash out at us or try to hurt us. But they are still God’s creation. We must show them love even when we don’t feel it.
“Love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31)” doesn’t say to love them when they are showing you love, or acting in a way that you like. It simply says to love your neighbor.
Our selfish nature makes this very difficult, and it is only possible if we have God’s love living inside of us. This only comes from spending time with Him, and it shows through our actions.
Choose love. Choose kindness. Choose compassion. This is YOUR choice, no matter what others choose. You can be God’s light in the world.
I love the message translation of the following passage, please read it and take it to heart. Matthew 5:43-47 (MSG) “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”
Lord, please fill me with your love so that I can show love to others, and please forgive me when I don't. Help me to choose love even when I don’t want to. Help me to be your light in the world. I want to be a person who loves, and shows kindness and compassion. I want to “grow up and live my God-given identity”, and I want to “live generously and graciously toward others.” Amen
Journal prompt: Is there a person that I need to choose to show love to? What can I do to show that person love?
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